Tottenham 3-0 Coventry

Clint Dempsey scored twice as Tottenham cruised into the fourth round of the FA Cup with victory over League One Coventry at White Hart Lane.

The United States international scored the opener early in the first half when he latched onto Gareth Bale's flick-on from a free-kick.

Bale added a second when he converted from close range after Dempsey's shot fell into in his path.

And Dempsey got his second before the break with a header at the far post.

Tottenham were dominant throughout and there never looked likely to be a repeat of the 1987 final, when Coventry stunned the north London side 3-2.

If Spurs' fortunes have remained pretty favourable since then, it has been a very different tale for Coventry, relegated from the top tier in 2001 having been there since 1967 before dropping into League One at the end of last season.

Third round joy for Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur have not conceded a goal in the third round of the FA Cup since Wigan Athletic's Henri Camara scored an 88th minute goal in a 3-1 defeat at White Hart Lane on 2 January 2009

The other difference between the clubs today and 26 years ago is the strength of squads.

Premier League and European money has allowed Spurs to put together a formidable group of players, so an ostensibly second-string team still featured internationals Bale, Dempsey and Emmanuel Adebayor.

It was Dempsey who broke the deadlock after sustained Spurs pressure in the opening 10 minutes, when he converted from close range after Bale had connected with Gylfi Sigurdsson's free-kick.

Welshman Bale, in rampant form, then beat five players before firing narrowly wide, and found the target after the half-hour mark when he tapped in Dempsey's deflected shot.

Coventry, finding it hard even to escape from their defensive third, conceded again before half-time, when Bale once more combined with Dempsey, who climbed highest to head in his team-mate's corner.

City manager Mark Robins, who won the Cup as a Manchester United player in 1990, lacked an attacking threat having lost top scorer David McGoldrick, who had scored 18 goals this season before his loan period ended.

New signing Leon Clarke was involved in the visitors' only decent chance of the half when he caused mild panic in the Spurs defence before the ball fell to midfielder James Bailey, whose shot was blocked.

Clarke also twice fired narrowly wide after the break and Brad Friedel made a brilliant save to prevent William Edjenguele's shot from creeping in, as City improved markedly.

Tottenham had a far quieter second half, with Bale producing a good save from Joe Murphy and firing a free-kick just past the Coventry upright, but Andre Villas-Boas's men could afford to relax after their first-half display.

Tottenham Hotspur assistant manager Steffen Freund:

"We know what we want to do in the league, we have won the FA Cup eight times before and we would like to go all the way this year.

"We didn't have to remind the players to be professional. They are really good. They put the opposition under pressure, they played with a high tempo and created chances.

"In the first half it was a different class. It was a great performance and we deserved the win."

Coventry manager Mark Robins told BBC Coventry and Warwickshire:

"First half we gave them too much respect. We were frozen in the headlights. Eight minutes to concede the first one and you fear the worst; but we did much better in the second half.

"We were able to get some passing movements going, and in the last half an hour we were able to give a decent account of ourselves.

"I can't be critical, though, because the opposition today were fantastic. When you come up against opposition like that you always need them to have an off day or to take liberties a little bit and not do what they normally do, but they didn't. They were at it right from minute one."

Kyle Naughton delivers the ball, Jordan Clarke manages to make a clearance.

87:02

Andros Townsend has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box missing to the wide right of the goal.

85:01

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Steven Caulker by Leon Clarke. Tom Huddlestone takes the direct free kick. Clint Dempsey has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

84:05

The ball is swung over by Jordan Clarke, clearance by Michael Dawson.

83:11

Andros Townsend has an effort at goal from outside the area which goes wide right of the goal.

82:29

Andros Townsend sends in a cross, William Edjenguele makes a clearance.

81:57

The ball is delivered by Benoit Assou-Ekotto, William Edjenguele manages to make a clearance.

78:48 Substitution

Substitution Mousa Dembele on for Scott Parker.

78:48 Substitution

Substitution Gylfi Sigurdsson leaves the field to be replaced by Tom Carroll.

76:58

The ball is delivered by Gary McSheffrey, Michael Dawson makes a clearance.

Inswinging corner taken by Gareth Bale from the right by-line, clearance by Leon Clarke.

68:40

Gareth Bale takes a shot. Save by Joe Murphy.

66:19

Conor Thomas takes a shot. Steven Caulker gets a block in. Corner taken by Gary McSheffrey from the right by-line played to the near post, William Edjenguele takes a shot. Brad Friedel makes a brilliant save.

64:02

Steven Caulker restarts play with the free kick. Effort from the edge of the box by Leon Clarke goes wide of the right-hand upright.

64:02 Booking

Booking Carl Baker is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

64:01

Carl Baker concedes a free kick for a foul on Steven Caulker.

62:30

Blair Adams gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Scott Parker. Free kick taken by Gylfi Sigurdsson.

60:25

Free kick awarded for a foul by Benoit Assou-Ekotto on Carl Baker. Direct free kick taken by Steven Jennings.

58:56

Jordan Clarke concedes a free kick for a foul on Gareth Bale. Shot comes in from Gareth Bale from the free kick.

58:23 Substitution

Substitution Conor Thomas comes on in place of James Bailey.

56:59

Carl Baker challenges Gareth Bale unfairly and gives away a free kick. The ball is swung over by Tom Huddlestone, Steven Caulker has a headed effort at goal from close range which goes wide left of the target.